"Even after seeing all that, It took you all these years to finally Relent.
But now the Tables have turned against you.
You seek redemption for your sins but Karma caught upto you before that.
And that too in the form of your family.
But it's your personal struggle.
What are you going to do to compensate the loss for the Village.
Now that they have agreed not to sell the lands"
Roy, The Elder from Mallow Village spoke up.
"I know i can't pay for the damages by money.
So i shall pay it by my possessions"
Albert responded
"Possessions huh. Then you pay it for the Future of the Village too"
*One of the Villagers shouted, bringing his kid and placing it on the Scale*
"He lost his dreams of Education because of you. You better make it upto him if your paying Albert"
The Villager said it, leaving the kid there as the Scale tilted further down.
The others did the same, placing their kids on the Giant Scale, tilting it further down before it nearly touched the Ground.
The Elders did not interfere, as they were just Arbitrators. They let the people decide what they needed as compensation.
The Village kids were finally on the Scale, some of them not on it as their parents felt it would pressurise Albert further than right now.
Albert watched as he had to pay for a destroyed past, present and future all in one day.
The weight of it was heavy, but his determination was strong enough to carry it to the finish line.
"Proceed. Tilt the Scale to balance it"
Roy pointed to the Scale.
Albert slowly approached the Scale, looking through the crowd and waving his hand.
A group of Labourers walked through the crowd, carrying sacks on top of their heads.
They walked towards Albert, moving to the Scale upon his request.
They placed the bags on the scale, one by one, leaving through the other side of the crowd behind the Barricades. Joining them.
The Scale had tilted, but not enough to bring balance
"What are those"
Troy questioned Albert
*Albert opened one of the bags, taking a handful of contents and showing it to the crowd and The Elders.
It was the soil from his land*
"I am hereby giving my share of the Land to the people. To be divided equally among them for their future"
Albert said the Unthinkable, shocking the Elders and the People.
"Are u sure about it. Old friend. You can't go back on your words once judgement is passed"
Roy told Albert, concerned. He knew Albert was not thinking thoroughly this time.
His mind was clouded with balancing the scales, clouding his judgement.
The same way his Believes clouded his judgements 14 years ago.
"I'm sure Roy. This is the only way"
Albert said with a pain filled smile. Giving everything up to preserve the Village and it's residents.
"But the Scale still hasn't been balanced yet"
Troy said, monitoring it
"Do u have anything else to offer"
Albert stood there shell shocked. Seeing how offering all his possession couldn't match the damages caused by him unintentionally.
He truly didn't have anything left to offer.
"I....
It's all that i have...."
Albert's words broke, just like his spirit. He didn't know how to balance it out.
"You do know you will be expelled from the Village if you don't have anything to balance it right.
Being a Nomad with nothing but empty pockets and nowhere left to live is a cruel fate for you and your family.
Especially when even Mallow Village won't accept you"
Troy warned Albert of the Consequences. A dire fate that awaited them if Albert couldn't find a way.
Albert thought long and hard, before saying
"I don't have anything left of value to offer"
Albert was on the verge of accepting defeat, about to lose his place in the Village along with his Family.
*His first drop of tear in decades fell on the ground, as a familiar sound floated through the Air to stop the second one from Falling*
"THERE'S STILL ONE THING LEFT"
*The Elders looked at the direction where the Sound came from.
The Crowd behind the Barricades slowly began making way for someone.
Albert lifted his head to look who it was.
"There's still something grandpa holds dear"
"A-..A- AKAMU..."
Albert uttered those words as he looked at the person who arrived from the crowd with a solution to his woes.
"What is it Child"
Roy asked Akamu, who stood in front of the scale.
Akamu smiled, saying
"Me"
*The Crowd gasped in shock and Surprise, going speechless.
Albert's eyes widened as he saw Akamu climbing onto the Scales and stand atop the sacks of dirt.
The Scale slowly tilted, the Bell ringing as the Scale achieved Balance. The kids looked in Awe at the brave soul who brought balance to the Scale*
"AKAMUU. GET DOWN FROM THEREEE!!!"
Albert screamed, trying to get his beloved grandson down.
"No Grandpa. It's for our future. This is how we pay for it"
Akamu looked at Albert with eyes filled with determination and confidence.
"Trust me Grandpa. I have a plan"
"And what exactly is it"
Troy asked the brave Akamu
"You'll see it in a years time"
Akamu responded, crossing his arms with a confident stature.
The Judgement was passed, The Lands and Akamu now becoming part of the Village property.
Albert couldn't believe what just transpired. Everything happening before his eyes. But he wasn't able to do anything.
And before all these chaos could settle, The Village was hit with another shocker.
THE FOOD SAMARITAN HAD LODGED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE VILLAGE!!